As 2026 unfolds, Asia stands at the forefront of a commercial revolution, redefining the very fabric of global trade. With digital transformation no longer a strategic aspiration but a lived reality, the region has cemented its status as the epicentre of borderless commerce.
At the heart of this transformation are three converging forces: the maturation of cross-border trade ecosystems, the legitimisation of stablecoins through robust regulatory frameworks, and the deep integration of artificial intelligence into core business operations.
Finance leaders across Asia are no longer merely reacting to change—they are driving it, with Singapore emerging as the region’s pivotal launchpad for innovation and expansion.
The numbers speak for themselves. Asia’s digital economy is expanding at an annual rate of 4.9%, outpacing global GDP growth by nearly two percentage points.
Cross-border revenue streams are surging, with many businesses reporting year-on-year growth exceeding 30%. This momentum is underpinned by a new generation of financial infrastructure that enables seamless, secure, and scalable international operations.
CFOs, once focused primarily on risk mitigation and cost control, are now central architects of growth strategy—empowered by technologies that automate complexity and unlock new markets.
From knowing to doing
Artificial intelligence has evolved from a tool for insight to one for action. The initial wave of AI, characterised by data analysis and predictive modelling, has given way to agentic AI—systems capable of executing tasks autonomously.
As Sarita Singh, regional head and managing director for Southeast Asia, India, and Greater China at Stripe, explains: “Now AI has shifted from knowing to doing. It can not only answer questions but perform tasks—that is agentic AI, and this is what Stripe really supports.”
This shift is transforming both customer experiences and backend operations. From AI-powered checkouts that personalise pricing and payment options in real time, to intelligent fraud detection systems that reduce chargebacks by up to 40%, the impact is both measurable and strategic.
One of Stripe’s users, Perplexity, can research hotels and also do the bookings for you—transactions, money flows, and all—handled under the hood by Stripe.
In the 2025 report Unlocking Southeast Asia’s AI Potential, the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) noted that agentic AI is paving the way for “actionable personalisation at scale,” with early adopters reporting substantial time savings and operational gains.
CFOs see measurable gains
“CFOs investing in AI are seeing measurable gains: higher order values, lower friction, and faster global cross-border expansion,” notes Singh. These gains are not incidental—they are the result of deliberate investments in modular, API-driven financial infrastructure that allows businesses to adapt quickly and scale efficiently.
BCG forecasts that AI and generative AI could boost ASEAN-6 GDP by up to US$120 billion by 2027, with the ICT and financial services sectors leading the charge. Singapore is projected to see a 3.1% GDP uplift—the highest in the region—driven by its dominance in high-impact sectors.
Stablecoins gain momentum
Parallel to the AI revolution is the accelerating adoption of stablecoins, particularly across Asia. In a region where cross-border trade is the lifeblood of economic activity, the inefficiencies of traditional settlement systems have long been a bottleneck.
Stablecoins—digital currencies pegged to stable assets, such as the US dollar—are now emerging as a preferred solution for international payments.
According to Singh, “56% of institutions here have already adopted stablecoins as part of their payment strategies—the highest rate globally.” The primary driver? Rapid global expansion.
Regulatory clarity has been a critical enabler. Governments across Asia have taken decisive steps to establish frameworks that strike a balance between innovation and oversight.
Singapore’s 2023 stablecoin regulatory framework established an early benchmark, providing legal certainty for both issuers and users. This was followed by Japan’s approval of its first USD-pegged stablecoin in May 2025, Hong Kong’s passage of a comprehensive stablecoin bill, and South Korea’s Digital Asset Basic Act.
Meanwhile, India and China continue to advance their central bank digital currency (CBDC) programmes, laying the groundwork for interoperable digital payment ecosystems.
Policy fuels confidence
“This policy momentum is also strong—regulators in Asia are forward-looking,” says Singh. “With these business and policy advances, CFOs can confidently adopt stablecoins today.” The result is faster settlement times, reduced transaction costs, and greater liquidity—all essential for businesses navigating volatile global markets.
Yet, with innovation comes complexity (according to Bain executives in an HBR). As AI systems make autonomous decisions and digital assets flow across jurisdictions, the need for compliance, security, and observability has never been greater.
CFOs must balance the imperative to innovate with the responsibility to safeguard their organisations. This is where strategic partnerships become critical.
“It’s important to have a trusted partner who can help CFOs achieve outcomes while balancing innovation with security and compliance,” Singh emphasises.
At Stripe, this means building data privacy, security, and scalability into solutions from the ground up—embedding regulatory compliance so finance teams can focus on growth.
Efficiency through modularity
The financial infrastructure of 2026 is defined by three pillars: efficiency, agility, and visibility. Modular APIs allow businesses to scale into new markets without duplicating systems or entities.
A unified stack—integrating payments, treasury, and compliance—enables seamless operations across borders. And real-time monitoring of key performance indicators, such as authorisation rates and payment reliability, empowers continuous optimisation.
“Stripe’s modular API lets CFOs scale into new markets without duplicating resources, finance tools, or entities,” Singh explains. “Agility through a unified stack… and observability and trackability—these are the foundations of resilient, borderless growth.”
BCG’s research reinforces this: companies that build reusable GenAI capabilities and strengthen foundational data pipelines see 58% more business benefits, especially when leadership is involved in responsible AI (RAI) strategy.
Yet, talent gaps remain a challenge—only 3.1% of digital full-time employees (FTEs) in Southeast Asia are focused on AI/GenAI, compared to 6.3% globally. As BCG notes, “Upskilling programs” and “guidelines on AI adoption” are among the top support measures businesses seek.
Singapore: Gateway to growth
As geopolitical uncertainties persist, Asia’s economic resilience continues to attract global investment. Singapore, with its pro-business environment, world-class digital infrastructure, and progressive regulatory stance under the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), has become the preferred gateway for companies scaling across ASEAN and beyond.
The city-state’s leadership in digital currency initiatives and fintech innovation makes it not just a hub but a proving ground for the future of commerce.
Looking ahead, the message for finance leaders is clear: the time to act is now. “Use this period of volatility to experiment—new products, ideas, markets, customer segments,” advises Singh. “Develop new levers for growth. Stripe’s financial infrastructure supports business agility.”
In an era defined by rapid change, the organisations that thrive will be those that embrace transformation not as a challenge, but as an opportunity.
To explore how AI, stablecoins, and modern financial infrastructure are shaping the future of commerce, finance leaders are invited to attend Stripe Tour Singapore 2025, taking place on 20 August 2025.
This flagship event will showcase over 60 significant enhancements to Stripe’s solutions, alongside real-world insights from customers and partners who are building the next generation of global businesses.
As Singh shares, “Hearing from customers and partners about how they use our infrastructure building blocks to create innovative, global solutions… Asia is exporting impactful solutions worldwide, and I love hearing those stories.”
Join us at the Stripe Tour Singapore 2025 and discover practical strategies for growth, efficiency, and scalability in the new era of borderless commerce. Register today and be part of the movement redefining the future of global trade.
Click on the PodChats player to hear in detail Singh’s thoughts on the
- How has the world of commerce, as viewed from the perspective of CFOs in Asia, evolved since 2024?
- To what extent will AI change both backend and frontend experiences, and what ROI can CFOs expect from these investments?
- What is your view on stablecoin adoption in Asia?
- Given the evolving state of regulations around AI, stablecoins, data privacy and security, how can businesses ensure compliance while capitalising on innovation?
- How can CFOs strike a balance between the need for rapid digital transformation and prudent financial risk management, particularly when adopting emerging technologies such as AI and stablecoins?
- What key performance indicators should CFOs track to measure the success of their cross-border commerce strategies in this new era of AI-driven payments and digital currencies?
- What can CFOs and businesses look forward to at the coming Stripe Tour Singapore on 20 August 2025 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre?
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